Material shaping assembly

ABSTRACT

The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser includes a shape template with a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length and a template-holding toothpaste cap. The plurality of apertures are arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another and the cap is shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube. The cap has a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within. The cap also has an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an extrusion shaper for a pasty material, and more particularly relates to a multi-orifice shape-producing toothpaste cap assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is indisputable that oral hygiene is key to the health and longevity of one's teeth. Regular brushing with toothpaste, which removes dental plaque and tartar from teeth, is the easiest way to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Research has shown that oral hygiene, by removing bacteria from the mouth, is not only beneficial to the teeth, but is also important to one's overall health.

Although adults realize the benefits of oral health, many children do not embrace the process or the need to perform multiple brushings per day. Over the years, several devices have been introduced to the consumer market with the goal of encouraging children to brush well and more often. Examples of these devices include toothbrushes shaped like characters, toothbrushes that play music, toothbrushes with varying sizes of handles, toothpaste with sparkles and mixed colors, and many others.

One device that provides an alternative to the traditional round tubular shape given to toothpaste as it is extruded from its storage tube is shown in FIG. 1. This prior-art device 100 has a cap 104 that attaches to a tube of toothpaste 103. The device 100 has a rotating disc 102 provided with multiple apertures 106 a-d, each one having a unique shape. A user is able to rotate the disc 102 to the selected aperture 106 a-d and, when the toothpaste tube 103 is squeezed, the toothpaste is extruded through the selected aperture, which gives the toothpaste flow the shape of the selected aperture 106 a-d. However, the device 100 is not removable/replaceable and, therefore, the device is limited to only those few shapes 106 a-d (4 shown in FIG. 1) provided on the single disc 102. Also, as the disk is rotated, toothpaste is smeared along the underside and trapped between the disk 102 and the cap 104. There is no simple way to clean the toothpaste, which will eventually harden and cause the disc to be difficult to rotate and present contamination issues.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a shape-producing toothpaste dispenser that includes a shape template with a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length and a template-holding toothpaste cap. The plurality of apertures are arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another and the cap is shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube. The cap has a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within. The cap also has an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a circular inwardly-facing portion adapted to engage the neck of the tube.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the cap includes threads disposed on the inner surface, the threads being adapted to mate with a standard toothpaste tube.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, a line of weakness is disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, a tab is disposed at an end of the shape template, the tab being operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.

In accordance with a further feature, the present invention includes an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a method of extruding toothpaste from a tube, where the method includes physically coupling an extrusion cap to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the extrusion cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste and has a circular inwardly-facing inner surface and a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels. The method further includes sliding a shape template within the U-shaped channels to align an aperture formed within the shape template with an inner diameter of the neck, the shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, the aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the method includes applying pressure to the tube of toothpaste whereby toothpaste within the tube of toothpaste is extruded through the aligned aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior-art shape forming toothpaste cap;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extrusion cap and shape template attached to a toothpaste tube with the shape template providing extruded toothpaste with the shape of a star in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior of the extrusion cap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational partially hidden view of the toothpaste tube and extrusion cap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a shape template with a blank provided at one end thereof, a line of weakness at a location along its length, and a limiting tab in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The present invention provides a novel toothpaste cap that is capable of producing any one of a plurality of uniquely-shaped toothpaste extrusions. Selection between one aperture and another is easily made by positioning of a shape template along the novel toothpaste cap, the shape template being instantly exchangeable with a replacement shape template that provides an entirely different plurality of shaped orifices.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is shown, which illustrates several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in a variety of shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components and varying numbers and functions of the components, including those shown as well as those not specifically shown herein. In this first embodiment of FIG. 2, the presently inventive toothpaste dispenser assembly 200 is attached to a neck of a standard toothpaste tube 202. The dispenser assembly 200 can be threaded onto the external threads of the neck of the standard tube of toothpaste 202 or can simply slip onto the neck in a non-threaded coupling arrangement, as will be described below in connection with FIG. 3. The inventive dispenser assembly 200 includes two separable components: 1) a cap portion 204; and 2) at least one shape template 206.

The shape template 206, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, has a generally rectangular shape with a plurality of apertures 210 a-n disposed along its length and arranged in a linear configuration between first and second extents 218, 220 of the template. Each aperture in the plurality of apertures 210 a-n has a different shape from at least one of the other apertures.

In addition, the cap portion 204 is provided with a shape template holding portion 212 that slidably engages the shape template 206 and secures it in one of a plurality of positions so that one of the plurality of apertures 210 a-n is aligned with the outlet of the toothpaste tube 202, i.e., the inner diameter of the neck of the toothpaste tube 202.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the shape template holding portion 212 includes a pair of opposing inwardly-facing U-shaped channels 302 a, 302 b that engage the edges of the shape template 206 and are adapted to slidably engage and secure the shape template 206 in one of a plurality of locations along the length of the template.

FIG. 3 also shows a neck-engagement portion 304 of the cap portion 204. The neck-engagement portion 304 removably couples to the neck of a standard toothpaste tube, such as tube 202. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the neck-engagement portion 304 does not have threads. In this embodiment, the inner surface 306 of the neck-engagement portion 304 has a diameter that is sized to be slight less than the diameter of the external threads found on standards tubes of toothpaste. In this way, the cap portion 204 fits snuggly over the external threads located on a standard toothpaste tube neck and secures the cap portion 204 to the tube 202 until removal is desired. The interior surface can be formed of plastic, a softer, more pliable material, such as rubber, or any other material suitable for adhering the cap portion 204 to the neck of a toothpaste tube 202.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the cap portion 204 is shown in an elevational, partially hidden view. In this view, it can be seen that the cap portion 204 defines a passageway 402 through which toothpaste can pass from an interior 404 of the toothpaste tube 202, through the passageway 402, through one of multiple apertures 210 a-n of the shape template 206 (if the template 206 is in place) and into the environment. Naturally, toothpaste of a consistency commonly found in the marketplace will assume the shape of any template through which it is pushed. For example, referring back to FIG. 2, a flow of toothpaste 214 is shown exiting the tube 202. In this example, the flow of toothpaste 214 has been forced through the aperture 210 b and, as a result, has taken on the shape 216 of the aperture 210 b which, in this particular example, is a star. If, alternatively, the shape template 206 were slid one aperture position over, the toothpaste 214 would be extruded through the aperture 210 c and the toothpaste 214 would be given the shape of a heart, which is the exemplary shape of aperture 210 c.

In the particular embodiment shown, at one extent of the passageway 402 is a raised ring 406. The raised ring 406, when present on the cap portion 204, provides a seal against an inner surface of the shape template 206 that faces the toothpaste tube 202 when the shape template 206 is within the shape template holding portion 212. The seal 406 helps prevent toothpaste from flowing between the junction of the cap portion 204 and the inner surface of the shape template 206 when the toothpaste is being forced through passageway 402. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the shape template 206 is provided with an indentation having a shape that mates with a shape of ring 406. When the shape template 206 is moved to align one of the apertures 210 a-n with the neck of the toothpaste tube 202, an alignment between the ring 406 and the indentation provides a tactile feedback to the user and indicates that the template 206 is in a proper location. The ring 406 can be provided in any shape. In addition, the ring 406 can be provided on the inner surface of the shape template 206 and the indentation can be provided on the cap portion 204. In other embodiments, alignment can be achieved by a combination of raised and indented areas on the cap portion 204 that correspond to a reverse combination of raised and indented areas on the shape template 206.

FIG. 5 shows an elevational view of a shape template 500. In this embodiment, a blank 502 is provided at one end 504 of the shape template 500, the blank 502 being in alignment with additional apertures 510 a-n. Also shown in this embodiment, the shape template 500 has a pair of flanges 506 a, 506 b at the end 504. The flanges 506 a, 506 b limit the distance the shape template 500 can slide through the channels 302 a, 302 b of the shape template holding portion 212, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, when the flanges 506 a, 506 b make physical contact with the channels 302 a, 302 b, the blank 502 will be aligned with the opening of the toothpaste tube 202. In this way, the blank 502 will seal the toothpaste tube 202, preventing drying of the toothpaste within the interior 404 of the tube 202. As described above, one surface of the blank 502 can be provided with a raised area 508 (or an indented area or a combination of raised and indented areas) to provide improved sealing between the inventive cap 204 and the toothpaste tube 202.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is a line of weakness 512 within the shape template 500. The line of weakness 512 can include an area of reduced material, a compressed area, a hinged area, or any other arrangement that allows the shape template 500 to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle. In one embodiment, when the flanges 506 a, 506 b make physical contact with the channels 302 a, 302 b and the blank 502 is aligned with the opening of the toothpaste tube 202, the line of weakness 512 is just slightly outside the widest dimension of the toothpaste tube 202. By positioning the line of weakness 512 to be just slightly outside the widest dimension of the toothpaste tube 202, when the blank 502 is located over the mouth to seal the toothpaste tube 202, bending the shape template 206 reduces the overall footprint of the device from that shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 5 and, advantageously, reduces the required storage space of the device. By bending the shape template 500 along the line of weakness 512, the inventive dispenser assembly 200, when attached to a toothpaste tube 202, only minimally increases the size of the overall footprint of the toothpaste tube.

The present invention provides advantages over the previously-known devices due, at least in part, to the fact that multiple shape templates 206 can be easily utilized with the same cap portion 204. One simply needs to slide a first shape template 206 out of the channels 302 a, 302 b of the shape template holding portion 212 and insert a new shape template, having shapes different from those formed in the first shape template 206. This unique feature allows the user to obtain a plurality of templates and a corresponding even greater plurality of unique shapes so that the user never gets bored of the same shape.

FIG. 6 shows a process flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. The process starts at step 600 and moves directly to step 602 where a user physically couples the extrusion cap 204 to a neck of a toothpaste tube 202. In step 604, the user slides the shape template 206 within the U-shaped channels 302 a-b to align one of the apertures 210 a-n formed within the shape template with an inner diameter of the neck of the toothpaste tube. In step 606, the user applies pressure to the toothpaste tube, thereby causing toothpaste within the tube to be extruded through the toothpaste tube. In step 608, the user slides the shape template within the U-shaped channels until a tab 506 a, 506 b disposed at an end of the shape template contacts a portion of the U-shaped channels and aligns an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab with the inner diameter of the neck and seals an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment. The process ends at step 610.

It should be noted that the present invention is not necessarily limited to attachment to toothpaste tubes. In alternative embodiments, the mouth 304 of the cap 200 is sized to attach to other material dispensers, such as a CHEEZE WIZ can, peanut butter tubes, cake icing dispensers, and more.

A toothpaste shaper has been disclosed that features positionable and replaceable shape templates that are easily and quickly slidably positioned from one shaped aperture to another. The invention provides shaped orifices that are easy to use, requiring less dexterity than prior-art devices. In addition, the present invention provides shaped orifices that are always visible, which makes the device easily used and understood by persons of all ages. Other features of the invention have also been disclosed that add further versatility to the apparatus but are not necessary and are not intended to be limited to the particular details disclosed herein. 

1. A shape-producing toothpaste dispenser comprising: a shape template having a length and a plurality of apertures formed within the length, the plurality of apertures arranged in a linear configuration with at least two of the plurality of apertures having a shape different from one another; and a cap shaped to removably physically couple to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the cap having: a mouth with inwardly-disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly-facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within; and an inner surface defining a toothpaste-guiding channel extending through the cap and defining a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the mouth.
 2. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises: a circular inwardly-facing portion adapted to engage the neck of the tube.
 3. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the cap further comprises: threads disposed on the inner surface, the threads being adapted to mate with a standard toothpaste tube.
 4. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising: a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.
 5. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising: a tab disposed at an end of the shape template operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.
 6. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising: an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.
 7. In combination with a toothpaste tube having a neck with external threads, the improvement comprising: a shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, each aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures; and a cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste, the cap having: a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels adapted to slidably secure the shape template within; and a circular inwardly-facing surface, the inwardly-facing surface sized to physically couple to the toothpaste tube and define a passageway for passing toothpaste from an interior of the tube through one of the plurality of apertures when the shape template is secured within the inwardly facing U-shaped channels.
 8. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the inwardly-facing inner surface further comprises: threads adapted to mate with external threads on the neck of the toothpaste tube.
 9. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising: a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend at an approximately 90-degree angle without breaking.
 10. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 9, further comprising: a tab disposed at an end of the shape template operable to limit an amount of slidable movement of the shape template within the U-shaped channels.
 11. The shape-producing toothpaste dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising: an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab, the area disposed to seal an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment when aligned with the passageway.
 12. A method of extruding toothpaste from a tube, the method comprising: physically coupling an extrusion cap to a neck of a toothpaste tube, the extrusion cap shaped to removably mate with the tube of toothpaste and having: a circular inwardly-facing inner surface; and a mouth having inwardly disposed wall elements forming a pair of inwardly facing U-shaped channels; and sliding a shape template within the U-shaped channels to align an aperture formed within the shape template with an inner diameter of the neck, the shape template having a proximal extent, a distal extent, a length connecting the proximal extent to the distal extent, and a plurality of apertures formed within the length between the proximal extent and the distal extent, the aperture having a shape different from at least one other of the plurality of apertures.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the physically coupling comprises: aligning threads disposed on the circular inwardly-facing inner surface of the cap with external threads on the neck.
 14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: bending the shape template at an approximately 90-degree angle along a line of weakness disposed along the length, the line of weakness allowing the shape template to bend without breaking.
 15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: sliding the shape template within the U-shaped channels until a tab disposed at an end of the shape template contacts a portion of the U-shaped channels.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the contact between the tab and the U-shaped channels aligns an area along the length of the shape template free of apertures and proximal to the tab with the inner diameter of the neck and seals an interior of the toothpaste tube from the environment.
 17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: applying pressure to the tube of toothpaste whereby toothpaste within the tube of toothpaste is extruded through the aligned aperture.
 18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: entirely removing the shape template from the U-shaped channels and inserting a different shape template into the U-shaped channels. 